I Believe in God, but I Trust in Money

This past weekend my church continued the series, Practical Atheist. This has been a life changing series and has really seemed to impact me in a unique way. If you haven't had a chance to listen or watch any of the messages I encourage you to do so. To give you a taste I copied and pasted the talk notes from this last weekend below. Also be sure and check out adventconspiracy.com, you will catch the relation after listening to this weeks message. 

Week 3: "I Believe in God, but I Trust in Money"

Q: What is a Practical Atheist? 

A: Someone who believes in God, but lives as if He doesn't exist. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34

WE TRUST MONEY TO PROVIDE:

· HAPPINESS.
· SECURITY.

THE #1 COMPETITOR FOR OUR HEARTS IS MONEY.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6: 10

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:13

TWO RICH MEN ENCOUNTER JESUS:

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:21-22

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Luke 19:8

WHEN YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH JESUS:

1) YOU BECOME STRANGELY CONTENT.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

2) YOU BECOME IRRATIONALLY GENEROUS.

When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 1:8

...No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. 2 Samuel 24:24

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. 2 Corinthians 8:2-3

Are you thankful for technology?

Came across this video via Brad Cooper. I think it is both hilarious and true. Something to think about during the Thanksgiving season. Don't take technology for granted.

Money, Church & The Poor

Outreach magazine recently interviewed Francis Chan the Pastor of Cornerstone Community Church. I was fascinated and challenged by the decisions that Pastor Chan is making personally and as a pastor.

One of the things that he discusses is the decision to not spend $20 million on a new building, but rather $1 million to build an amphitheater. This is a pretty different way of thinking as far as the American church is considered. Chan says, "If we can watch football outside in the rain, then we can worship God in the rain." 

Now before you jump to any conclusions, I'm not saying that every church should do this and I don't believe Chan is either, but I believe every church should look at creative solutions to growing the church. I also believe that it is the responsibility of the church and of individual believers to make sure that we are using our resources in a manner that honors God. To be honest this is something that I have been adjusting in my life in recent months.

Here are some of the reasons Cornerstone Community Church decided to have church outside:

• We love the poor: People around the world desperately need aid (Romans 12:13).
  
• We love Jesus: He says that He is the One suffering (Matthew 25:35-36).
  
• It’s best for us: We’ll be more joyful if we give rather than receive (Acts 20:35).
  
• It affects unbelievers: They are impacted when they see good works (Matthew 5:16).
  
• It models Christ: Laying down our lives is how we imitate Christ (1 John 3:16-17).
  
• We gain eternal rewards: God rewards those who care for the poor (Matthew 9:21).

I encourage you to pick up the November/December issue of Outreach magazine and to also learn more about the building project at Cornerstone Community Church by visiting their website.

What are some creative ways that you can reallocate your resources to help those less fortunate?

Leaving Lust Vegas

Ed Young has a challenge for Fellowship Church that might not be a bad a idea for all of us married folks. It is a seven day sex challenge. He is challenging all married couples to have sex for seven days starting next Sunday. Check out the video to hear what Ed has to say.

Win A Trip to Mexico

Soles4Souls is giving away a trip to Mexico when you donate $5 to purchase 2 pairs of shoes for those in need. Basically for the cost of a starbucks you can help impact the life of 2 children. They are currently trying to raise 50,000 pairs of shoes over the next 50 days. By purchasing two pairs of shoes for $5, you are automatically entered into a random drawing to personally deliver the shoes you purchased to someone in need on one of their trips to Mexico. I encourage every person that happens to stumble across this post to take two minutes and five dollars and visit 50000shoes.com.

A Few Blogs to Check Out: November Edition

I subscribe to several blogs and I have added a few more over the last month or so. Thought I would share some link love and let you in on my most recent subscriptions. By the way if you are still surfing the web to read blogs I definitely recommend a blog reader, I use google. If you'd like to subscribe to my posts just look to the right and select your reader.

• Already Been Chewed -  The goal is to educate, motivate, and inspire churches to use media as creatively and effectively as possible.
  
• Culture Making - Celebrating and informing those who cultivate and create.
• Change - Office of the President-Elect
• IJM Institute -  A community of Christian leaders advancing solutions for overcoming injustice.
• Beyond Relevance - An innovative blog for a culturally strategic church...
• Big is the New Small - The blog of Scott Williams the Northwest Oklahoma City Campus Pastor of LifeChurch.tv.

10 Signs You Might Be A "Lukewarm Christian"

Today my pastor, Craig Groeschel, continued the series entitled, Practical Atheist. I encourage you to watch or listen to last week and this week. It has really challenged my way of thinking and encouraged me to evaluate the way I live my life. I can't do this series justice in this post, but I thought I would share ten things that Craig shared regarding lukewarm Christians. 

• Crave acceptance from people more than acceptance from God.
  
• Rarely share their faith in Christ.
  
• Do whatever it takes to alleviate their guilt.
  
• Think more about life on earth than eternity in heaven.
  
• Gauge their morality by comparing to others.
  
• Want to be saved from the penalty of sin without changing their lives.
  
• Only turn to God when they are in a bind.
  
• Give whenever it doesn't hinder their standard of living.
  
• Are not much different from the rest of the world.
  
• Want the benefits of what Christ did without conforming to who He is. 
  

What if Starbucks Marketed Like a Church? A Parable.

You may have already seen this video, but I thought it was worth sharing again. Hope it brings you J.O.Y. (Java Others & You). May your day be filled with coffee. 

3 Things the Bible says about Barack Obama

Well the election is finally over and we now have a president-elect, Barack Obama. I have heard some negative reactions from people via twitter and facebook about our future President. Some have said, "it is the beginning of socialism in America" and another said "it is going to lead to the downfall of America and the end times". To be honest I don't agree with where Obama stands on a lot of the issues, but these remarks are ridiculous. I think John McCain set a great example last night on how those that did not vote for Obama should react. I believe a persons character is revealed more in their failure than anything else. So I encourage everyone to have a little perspective and view this event through the lens of God's Word. Here are three things the Bible has to say about Barack Obama and our response.

1. God will lead Barack Obama, even if he has to change his heart. 

• Daniel 2:21a says, He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. Proverbs 21:1 says, The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. 

2. We are to show respect for Barack Obama, regardless of our opinion. 

• 1 Peter 2:13a says, For the Lord's sake, respect all human authority...
  

3. We are to pray for Barack Obama. 

• 1 Timothy 2:2 says, Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.